Biden administration officials hope the money will help propel technological innovation in areas that have historically received less government funding.
The Biden administration awarded $504 million on Tuesday to a dozen projects across the country in a bid to transform communities that had been overlooked in the past into technological powerhouses.
The grants will fund “tech hubs” that aim to bolster the production of critical technologies in regions including western Montana, central Indiana, South Florida and upstate New York. The hubs are meant to accelerate the growth of advanced industries in the United States, such as biomanufacturing, clean energy, artificial intelligence and personalized medicine.
The program reflects a federal effort to expand America’s science and technology funding beyond Silicon Valley and a few coastal regions, an initiative that Biden administration officials say will help revitalize areas that have traditionally received less government investment. Proponents say the projects will help create “good-paying” jobs and tap into underutilized pools of workers and resources across the country.
The $10 billion program was authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, which Congress passed in 2022 to ramp up the domestic manufacturing of semiconductors and increase funding for scientific research. The idea of spreading technology funding beyond Silicon Valley helped the legislation win broader support from lawmakers representing parts of the country that were eager to benefit.
The Commerce Department initially considered nearly 400 applications, narrowing them to a pool of 31 projects that received “tech hub” designations in October. On Tuesday 12 regions won grants that were anywhere from $19 million to $51 million.
It is unclear, however, how much more funding will be available. Although Congress authorized $10 billion for the five-year program when the CHIPS Act passed, only about $541 million — or roughly 5 percent — has been appropriated so far, which some say could hinder the program’s success.